President Putin Congratulates Finland On the Country’s Independence Jubilee Year

Russian President Vladimir Putin in a press conference with President Sauli Niinistö at the Finnish president’s official summer residence, Kesäranta, on July 1, 2016. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

President Sauli Niinistö held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 30.

They discussed current international issues, such as the situation in Syria and security in the Baltic Sea region. They also discussed bilateral relations between Finland and Russia and Finland’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council that begins next year.

President Niinistö offered his condolences on the murder of Ambassador Karlov in the art gallery in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, on December 19, and on the plane crash on Christmas Day, where all 92 people on board were killed when a Russian plane headed to an air base in Syria crashed only minutes after taking off from the resort city of Sochi.

The presidents also wished each other a Happy New Year.

President Putin also congratulated Finland on the country’s independence jubilee year that is about to begin.

The discussion was held on Finland’s initiative.

Source: The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

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